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What’s the big deal about net neutrality?

What is net neutrality?

You are familiar with the internet? That wonderful thing that gives you access to this puppy video? Well, net neutrality is one of the principles that truly makes the internet great. It’s the concept that individuals using the internet should have open and equal access to all websites, applications, and content. The effect of this open market is that, for instance, startups can challenge established players. So who would ever want to get rid of that basic principle? Your internet service provider (ISP), that’s who.

Without net neutrality, your ISP can begin to charge companies, websites, and products a premium to allow people faster access to their content. Your ISP can potentially then turn around and charge you for different levels of access (faster or slower), based on your location, websites you want to visit, or services you desire.

Imagine for a moment that net neutrality hadn’t existed in the early days of social media. Facebook probably never would have stood a chance. We’d all still be on Myspace worrying about who’s in our top eight. And no one wants that, right?

How did we get here?

Once upon a time, in the early 2010s, the FCC pushed to classify ISPs under the less regulated Title I. Then Verizon, owner of this cringe-worthy commercial and powerhouse ISP, sued the FCC and won. Over the next few years, debate of the issue raged.

A year later, the FCC passed landmark regulations making net neutrality a regulated practice under Title II. Title II is what we currently use to classify ISPs as telecommunications services, a highly regulated industry.

Bottom line: the internet has always been an open and free place. It’s the companies giving you access who seem to want to ruin that.

How can individual citizens make a difference?

John Oliver has covered everything from televangelists to Brexit. One of the few things he has covered more than once is net neutrality. That’s one way, and probably the best way, of measuring how serious this situation is.

When Oliver first covered the issue in 2014, he challenged everyone on the internet to publicly comment on the FCC website. Which made their site crash.

This time around, the FCC is prepared for a big rush of comments, and it will probably take many times the number of comments to convince them net neutrality ought to be preserved, because the people demand it.

But the people of the internet won’t be outdone. With websites like www.battleforthenet.com which provides you with everything you need to fight for net neutrality. No seriously, everything. From a form that will send to your Congress members and the FCC to the relevant memes to post on your social media pages.

This fight will only be won with an overwhelming amount of public support. Don’t be silent. And see you in the comments section!

In the meantime, start thinking about how to begin to protect yourself. Without net neutrality, ISPs could potentially favor certain websites or locations. HMA! actively combats ISPs from viewing the websites you visit while hiding your location. Get Hide My Ass! to stay private online, safe from your ISP’s prying eyes.

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